Financial Aid Specialist

Job Title

Financial Aid Office Assistant

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide professional and courteous customer service by answering telephone inquiries, responding to messages, and directing students and visitors to appropriate resources or personnel.

Assist students with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), scholarship applications, Federal Work-Study documentation, and other required financial aid forms.

Assist with the administration of the Federal Work-Study Program by processing student interest forms, supporting job fairs and placement activities, facilitating onboarding and Canvas orientation, maintaining program records, conducting routine follow-up with student employees and supervisors, and providing customer service in accordance with program requirements.

Process consortium agreements by reviewing required documentation, communicating with home and host institutions, verifying enrollment and financial aid eligibility, and maintaining accurate records in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policies.

Process and maintain athletic scholarship records by reviewing documentation, verifying eligibility, communicating with the Athletic Department regarding required information, and entering awards in accordance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.

Process institutional scholarships, community partner waivers, and employee waivers by reviewing documentation, maintaining accurate records, entering awards, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.

Process Shoals Scholar Dollar (SSD) scholarship awards by reviewing eligibility, verifying renewal requirements, maintaining accurate records, and processing awards in accordance with institutional policies and program guidelines.

Maintain confidentiality of student records and protected information in accordance with FERPA, Title IV regulations, and institutional policies.

Serve on college committees, task forces, and workgroups as assigned, contributing to institutional initiatives and continuous process improvement.

Collaborate with academic departments, Student Services, the Business Office, and other campus partners to coordinate the effective administration of student financial aid programs.

Provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive information regarding financial aid programs, policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements to students, prospective students, families, faculty, staff, and community members.

Accurately enter, maintain, and update student financial aid records and related information within Banner and other institutional systems.

Represent the Financial Aid Office by participating in recruitment events, orientations, workshops, outreach activities, and other college-sponsored events as assigned.

Perform duties related to the administration of Title IV financial aid programs and institutional waivers in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Perform software technical and functional setup, testing, maintenance, and system updates to support financial aid processing and office operations.

Assist in the preparation for and participation in local, state, federal, and institutional audits, program reviews, fiscal monitoring, compliance reviews, accreditation activities, and other oversight processes by compiling records, verifying data, responding to requests, and supporting the implementation of required corrective actions.

Complete and process Dynamic Forms in a timely and accurate manner, including withdrawal forms and other assigned student forms.

Cross-train and serve as a backup for all Financial Aid Office functions to ensure continuity of operations, compliance with federal and institutional regulations, and uninterrupted service to students.

Qualifications

One (1) year (32 semester hours) of postsecondary education from a regionally accredited institution, required.

Associate Degree or higher, preferred.

Financial Aid work experience, preferred.

Ellucian Banner work experience, preferred.

Application Procedures/Additional Information

A complete application packet consists of the following:

• A completed Northwest Shoals Community College online application form
• A current resume
• Postsecondary transcripts (unofficial or official), which must include institution's name, college degree, and degree date.

Applications may be submitted online at Applications should be received by no later than August 10, 2026. Incomplete application packets will eliminate the possibility of an interview. Application packets received after the deadline date will eliminate the possibility of an interview. The submission of all required application materials by the deadline date is the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Compensation is in accordance with the Alabama Community College System's Salary Schedule E3-4 ($41,349 - $59,541). Northwest Shoals Community College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Northwest Shoals Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Applicants in need of an accommodation(s), should contact the Office of Human Resources prior to the interview. View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. Northwest Shoals Community College will not be responsible for copying application packets for current or future positions.

In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon an acceptable background check as determined by the College President. Northwest Shoals Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security. Northwest Shoals Community College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding of employment.